Shooting Portrait Head-Shots at Home - Made Easy With simple step-by-step guide  

The ultimate expectation of receiving Portrait Head-Shots at home or in a rented studio is easy with these step-by-step instructions to help you.

Getting Started It's really quite simple and to experiment after reading this article and with something, you will be shooting like a pro ...

What are you, to get started from a simple beginning:

1st CAMERA, 35mm. SLR., Will (Single Lens Reflex), film or digital camera in order, if possible with a28-80 zoom lens, or separate prime lenses 80mm. Or 100 mm., For head-shots and 50mm. Or greater for fashion shoots.

Even better, a "medium-format camera, such as: --

Bronica SQAi or Hassleblad 501CM or Mamiya 6, (picture size 6x6.), With a 150mm. or 200mm., lens for head shots and 80mm., lens for fashion photography. Note that with a medium format camera, you better picture quality, but more importantly, it will slow you and --

MAKETHINK like a pro!

2nd TRIPOD, use a heavy sound. Check out the second hand market.

3rd FLASH. (Studio flash), a separate studio flash. Start by checking the used photo equipment stores, trying to find good second hand studio flash units.

4th FLASH METER. Visit your photo suppliers and check out the new and used stock. To ask for advice, it is better to find one that you feel comfortable with.

5th DIGITAL or FILMSTOCK is: If your film with 100 ASA film speed or ISO equivlent Digital setting it just fine in most situations. In this phase you have to decide whether you are using color print film, color transparency slide film or black and white want to shoot film.

Simple lighting SET UP headshots.

SEAT YOUR MODEL: On a chair, one or two meters in front of a plain background, talking to her, she is nervous. (Read that line again!) It is important. Keep agood "relationship" with your model, it is much better with you. Did she fix her hair and make OK. If possible, it is a good idea, a make-up artist and hairdresser on hand to help you, the more attention to detail, the better the results.

Set the camera: on a tripod at the same height as the models head to borrow a stand in model to sit for a few minutes, while 'GET TO GRIPS "decorated with lights. In this phase, we see what aWas advantageous to spend "hard-earned money on a new or used studio flash with built-in modeling lights to give you an idea of your lighting effects.

Studio Lighting REMEMBER: If you set up and ready long before your model walks on the set.

Position your "BROLLY" FLASH: More than 45 degree angle on one side of the camera's position and also about 45 degree angle above the models head. The distance between the flash and the subjectHead (for head shot), then about one meter flash on the subject distance.

PLACE a large white reflector: on the opposite side as your flash unit, as close as possible to the topic. Sometimes it's a good idea to place a flash leaped into the reflector as fill, while not the power of your "Key Light". Next, place a small white reflector under the terms of his chin, to bounce light up to the shadow area under the chin.

FLASH METERS check: Now whatExposure, and you should adjust the f stop (aperture) on the camera. The shutter speed is not so important, in the studio until it is faster than the speed of the camera's recommended flash sync 'or slower.

It would be good planning to do a test run on the day before BE, allowing you time for your test shots to process and check the exposure and lighting. Many professional photographers use a medium format camera in the studio, which can be fitted with a PolaroidCamera back, so that they immediately make tests on the spot. Even some professional photographers use medium format cameras, which was fitted with a special digital camera again, so that the images on the screen immediately.

Other highlights: There is also a good idea, two or three other lamps add to your studio set up (if the budget allows).

A LIGHT HAIR: attached at the back of the unit and to one side, about two meters high, the trimming of the models hair.This should be a "Snoot" or "comb" fitted before the light, scattered light, comes to preventing the camera.

Backlight: Can also be used well, to shine, or create effects with the background.

IT is really a matter of experimentation to develop your own technique, until you have perfected a good impression, and you are more or less satisfied with your results. In the meantime, you can take your friends and your family,crazy when you try your newly acquired skills ... And then ...

Set up your own small portrait studio in a room or garage at home.

Just keep on trying again until you have mastered the art.